River North notables and favorites

Downtown440 N. State St. 312-464-1400At the neighborhood’s only gay bar, expect the bartenders to call you “honey” and the entertainment to range from live cabaret to karaoke to DJs.

The Purple Pig500 N. Michigan Ave. 312-464-1744This small but mighty wine and swine bar is packed every night of the week with diners hungry for a taste of charcuterie, cheese and treats that do the name proud, from pork neck bone rillettes to pig’s tails braised in balsamic vinegar.

Nacional 27325 W. Huron St. 312-664-2727This Pan-Latin restaurant is well-loved for its globe-trotting menu and innovative cocktails designed by mixologist Liz Samples. Latin dancing nights make for prime people-watching.

GT Fish & Oyster531 N. Wells St. 312-929-3501This nautical-chic seafood restaurant with chef Giuseppe Tentori (Boka) in the kitchen serves classics such as oyster platters, clam chowder and lobster rolls, along with contemporary plates such as hamachi crudo with strawberry and shiso.

Bin 36339 N. Dearborn St. 312-755-9463This wine bar/restaurant/store hybrid headed up by wine director Brian Duncan quite possibly the best place in the ’hood to further your grape know-how.

Quartino626 N. State St. 312-698-5000This bustling Italian small-plates spot with excellent pizza is a perpetual pleaser of dates, parents and everyone in between.

Jake Melnick’s41 E. Superior St. 312-266-0400This sporty pub has learned a following for its hefty selection of wings (spice ratings range from traditional buffalo to XXX) along with a solid craft beer list.

Moe’s Cantina155 W Kinzie St. 312-245-2000Garage doors that open up onto the street and a mezzanine level that overlooks the main dining room make this lively cantina a popular pick for post-work sangria and Latin-inspired snacks.

Dragon Ranch Moonshine & BBQ441 N. Clark St. 312-955-1900All-American flavors mix with a hint of Far Eastern influence at this eatery, which serves dishes such as slow-smoked pulled pork rubbed with a blend of Asian spices alongside moonshine cocktails served in Mason jars.

Sixteen401 N. Wabash Ave. 312-588-8030This restaurant has the formal service, luxe look and decadent dishes you’d expect of its location on the 16th floor of the Trump International Hotel & Tower—with prices to match. The dining room features sweeping views of the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower and the Chicago River, as does hotel lounge Rebar on the tower’s second floor.

Ikram15 E. Huron St. 312-587-1000The Ikram cafe, located on the second level of the uber-ubscape women's boutique of the same name, serves a frequently changing menu of salads, sandwiches and other lunchy items, all inspired by what’s fresh at the farmers market.

Blue Frog Bar & Grill676 N. La Salle Drive 312-943-8900No-cover karaoke hosted is nearly every night of the week at this kitschy dive bar, which is cheekily decorated with holiday lights and classic board games and toys from the ’70s and ’80s.

M Burger5 W. Ontario St. 312-428-3548Tasty toppings such as crispy bacon and snappy pickles belie the fast-food prices at this burger joint. This location serves chocolate-dipped ice cream cones in addition to milkshakes and malts (ask for the featured flavor).

25 Degrees736 N. Clark St. 312-943-9700Spiked milkshakes and build-your-own burgers are the main attraction at this bar, which rocks a sultry parlor-like look with vintage-inspired wallpaper and chandeliers.

Public House400 N. State St. 312-265-1240This perpetually packed corner bar brings the party to your booth thanks to beer and liquor taps built right into the table; the same technology was first introduced at sibling bar Bull & Bear on the west side of River North.

Stout Barrel House & Galley642 N. Clark St. 312-475-1390It would be easy to mistake Stout for just another hangout working the “upscale tavern” model, but a late-night bar license and to-go sliders served until 3 a.m. set it apart from the pack.

Rossi’s Liquors412 N. State St. 312-644-5775This reliable cash-only dive/packaged goods store is one of the only bars of its kind left in the neighborhood. While it’s usually crowded with regulars on weeknights, Friday nights bring a rush of nearby office workers grabbing a cheap beer before heading home.

Untitled111 W. Kinzie St. 312-880-1511To find this so-called “speakeasy” inspired by supper clubs of times past, look for the unmarked, glossy black doors (and a valet stand) near the CVS. Inside, you’ll find a massive multi-room restaurant and bar serving indulgent small plates and craft cocktails.